Underwater apparatus

ABSTRACT

A naval mine configured to be released by a release assembly comprising: an impermeable casing; an explosive charge arranged inside the impermeable casing; a detonator which can be operated to trigger the explosive charge; and a control device configured to operate the detonator. The naval mine further comprises a fillable chamber, provided with at least one opening and a closing system for closing or opening the opening; said closing system is configured to open the opening so as to allow water to flow into the fillable chamber, when the naval mine is released by the release assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102020000003143 filed on 17 Feb. 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an underwater apparatus, specifically a naval mine.

In particular, the present invention is advantageously, but not exclusively, applied to the field of naval mines configured to be released by a release assembly placed on board a sea or underwater vehicle, typically a release platform or a release submarine, to which the following description will explicitly refer without thereby losing generality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A known naval mine comprises an impermeable casing, an explosive charge arranged inside the impermeable casing, and a control device configured to control a detonator so as to make the naval mine blow up (explode), when a sea target, typically a surface vehicle, approaches the naval mine and/or after a certain time interval and/or in certain conditions or to carry out underwater excavations, for example in underwater sites.

Such naval mines are generally released and positioned by a release submarine, or by a release platform, having on board suitable release systems, typically release knives, adapted to drop the naval mine in order to make it reach the bottom of the sea with a given orientation, such to ensure the correct operation of the naval mine.

In fact, to ensure the correct operation of the naval mine, and in particular to ensure that the control device suitably operates the detonator, it is important that the naval mine reaches the bottom with a given orientation, more particularly it is important that the control device is oriented upwards, i.e. towards the free surface of the water.

However, during the known release operations of the known naval mines, ceasing the weight of the mine, the sea vehicle by which the mine is released, especially if small in size, may undergo buoyancy and/or inclination variations which could compromise the safety of the sea or underwater vehicle that releases the mine, which once the weight of the mine is ceased could quickly go towards the surface compromising the safety of the crew on board the vehicle.

Furthermore, such buoyancy variations of the sea or underwater vehicle upon the release of the naval mine, could compromise the correct laying of the naval mine and consequently its correct operation.

In particular, the buoyancy variations of the sea vehicle upon the release of the naval mine could cause undesired rotations of the mine during its release and/or during its descent towards the bottom of the sea with consequent laying of the mine in an inclined position with respect to the given orientation.

Such problem is particularly perceived in all those cases wherein the control device is configured to operate the detonator when the presence of a target near the naval mine is detected, i.e. in all those cases wherein the naval mine is provided with a detection unit adapted to detect the presence of a target inside a certain zone. It is understood, in fact, that in these cases, for such detection unit to work suitably (i.e. to detect the presence of the target inside a certain zone, consequently inducing the detonation of the explosive charge) it is necessary that the detection unit, and even more particularly the sensors composing it, are faced towards the zone to be monitored.

Therefore, also in this case the arrival of the mine on the bottom of the sea in an inclined position with respect to the given orientation could compromise the correct operation of the mine.

The object of the present invention is to provide a naval mine, a naval mine assembly and a method for dropping a naval mine, which allow overcoming the above-described drawbacks and, at the same time, which are easy and cost-effective to implement.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a naval mine is provided, according to what claimed in the appended independent claims, and preferably, in any one of the claims directly or indirectly dependent on the mentioned independent claims.

The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment example thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view, along a center line plane, of a naval mine immersed in water and fixed to a release assembly of a sea or underwater vehicle;

FIG. 2 illustrates the mine of FIG. 1 immediately after being released by the release assembly;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the naval mine and of the vehicle of FIG. 1 , in particular from an angle perpendicular to that of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 illustrates the naval mine and the vehicle of FIG. 1 from the same angle of FIG. 3 immediately after being released by the release assembly; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an enlarged sectional view of a part of the release system of the naval mine illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in two different operating configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1 to 4 , reference numeral 1 generally indicates, as a whole, a naval mine configured to be released by a release assembly 2, in particular mounted on board a sea or underwater vehicle 3 (schematically represented with a line in FIGS. 1 to 4 ), typically a release platform or a release submarine.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 , the naval mine 1 comprises an impermeable casing 4 (in particular, adapted to sealingly insulate the inside of the naval mine 1 with respect to the outside), an explosive charge 5 inside the impermeable casing 4, preferably but not necessarily inside a suitable housing 6 provided in the impermeable casing 4, and a detonator 7 operable for triggering the explosive charge 5. The naval mine 1 further comprises a control device 8 configured (i.e. programmed) to operate the detonator 7.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , advantageously but not necessarily, the control device 8 is arranged at an upper part of the impermeable casing 4, in particular in proximity to an upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4; more particularly (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2), the control device 8 is fixed to the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4 and extends from such upper wall 9.

It should be noted that in the present disclosure, the term “upper” is to be understood as being above, when the mine is attached to the release assembly 2 (see for example FIGS. 1 and 3 ), in particular, as being closer to the free surface of the water (i.e. farther from the bottom of the sea) when the naval mine 1 is attached to the release assembly 2 and is immersed in water (see for example FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Therefore, “upper part” and “upper wall” of the impermeable casing 4 means the part and the wall of the impermeable casing 4 closest to the release assembly 2, when the naval mine 1 is fixed to the release assembly 2; in particular, the part and the wall of the impermeable casing 4 closest to the free surface of the water (i.e. farthest from the bottom of the sea) when the naval mine 1 is attached to the release assembly 2 and is immersed in water (see for example FIGS. 1 and 3 ).

According to some preferred but non-limiting embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the control device 8 is configured to operate the detonator 7 when a sea target (not illustrated), typically a surface vehicle or an underwater vehicle, is near the naval mine 1, i.e. when a sea target enters inside a given zone (not illustrated) which extends around the naval mine 1 (in particular, from the naval mine 1 up to a defined distance from the mine 1), or to carry out underwater excavations, for example in underwater sites.

In this case, in accordance with some preferred but non-limiting embodiments (such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 ), the naval mine 1 comprises a detection unit 10 configured to monitor the aforementioned given zone and the control device 8 is configured (i.e. programmed) to operate the detonator 7 on the basis of what detected by the detection unit 10.

In detail (with reference to the preferred but non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ), advantageously but not limitedly, the detection unit 10 is arranged above the control device 8, so as to reduce the dimensions, facilitating the connections between the detection unit 10 and the control device 8.

Even more specifically, according to some preferred but non-limiting embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the detection unit 10 is arranged at the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4; in particular, at the outer surface (i.e. the surface facing outwards of the naval mine 1) of the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4; more particularly above the outer surface of the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4.

According to other advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments, the detection unit 10 is integrated in the control device 8 (i.e. the control device 8 comprises the detection unit 10).

Advantageously but not necessarily, the detection unit 10 is configured to detect at least the water pressure and/or the presence of (movable) obstacles inside the aforementioned given zone.

More particularly, according to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments, the detection unit 10 comprises (consists of) at least one detonation sensor (not illustrated), for example at least one magnetic sensor and/or at least one hydrostatic sensor and/or at least one acoustic sensor, and the control device 8 is programmed to determine on the basis of what detected by the detonator sensor (or by the plurality of detonator sensors) when a sea target enters the given zone, for example by comparing what detected with data stored in a specific memory (not illustrated).

Alternatively or in combination, according to some preferred but non-limiting embodiments, the control device 8 is remotely controllable for operating the detonator 7, or is configured to operate the detonator 7 when certain conditions are reached, for example after a certain time interval, or at a certain depth, etc.

The naval mine 1 (see for example FIGS. 1 and 2 ) further comprises a fillable chamber 11, provided with at least one opening 12 a and a closing system 13 for closing or opening the opening 12 a, said closing system 13 is configured to open such opening 12 a so as to allow water to flow into the fillable chamber 11, when the naval mine 1 is released by said release assembly 2.

According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the fillable chamber 11 comprises two openings 12 a and 12 b arranged on the upper wall of the fillable chamber 11, which according to the advantageous but non-limiting embodiments illustrated coincides with the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4. In detail (advantageously but not necessarily), the openings 12 a and 12 b are arranged in proximity to the opposite ends of such upper wall 9 of the fillable chamber 11 (which advantageously but not necessarily coincides with the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4); in particular at the same distance from the center of such upper wall 9, so as to minimize the risk that the inflow of water through such openings 12 a and 12 b induces buoyancy (and/or inclination) variations of the naval mine 1 upon the release or during its descent towards the bottom of the sea.

Alternatively or in combination (according to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments not illustrated), the impermeable chamber 11 has one (single) opening arranged on the upper wall 9 of the fillable chamber 11 (which coincides with the upper wall 9 of the impermeable casing 4), in particular in a central position, so as to minimize the risk that the inflow of water through the opening does not induce buoyancy (and/or inclination) variations of the naval mine.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the closing system 13 is configured to assume a closed position B (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 ) in non-operating conditions, i.e. before the naval mine 1 is released by the release assembly 2, and an open position A (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 ) in operating conditions, i.e. as soon as the naval mine 1 is released by the release assembly 2 (in particular simultaneously with the release of the naval mine 1 by the release assembly 2).

In particular, as illustrated for example in FIG. 1 , in non-operating conditions the closing system 13 is in the closed position B so as to close the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b and the fillable chamber 11 is not filled with (in particular, does not contain) water and is closed (in particular is insulated, preferably sealingly, with respect to the outside of the fillable chamber 11). While in operating conditions, as illustrated for example in FIG. 2 , the closing system 13 is in the open position A so as to open the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b and the fillable chamber 11 is at least partially filled with water (in particular contains water) and is in fluid communication with the outside of the naval mine 11.

The inflow of water into the fillable chamber 11 ensures that the naval mine 1, released by the release assembly 2, drops (descends) towards the bottom of the sea oriented according to a given orientation, in particular with the control device 8 facing upwards.

In fact, advantageously but not limitedly, the fillable chamber 11 is sized so as to ensure that the naval mine 1 immersed in water assumes a neutral hydrostatic buoyancy when the closing system 13 closes the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b and the fillable chamber 11 is not filled with (in particular does not contain) water, and a negative hydrostatic buoyancy when the closing system 13 opens the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b and water flows into the fillable chamber 11 so as to obtain a loaded chamber, i.e. filled at least partially with water.

According to some embodiments such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the explosive charge 5 is arranged on the bottom 14 (i.e. on the bottom wall 14) of the impermeable casing 4 and the fillable chamber 11 is arranged above the explosive charge 5. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing 6 is arranged on the bottom 14 of the impermeable casing 4 and the bottom 14 constitutes (at least) part (of a side wall) of the housing 6.

Such arrangement of the explosive charge 5 (below the control device 8) advantageously ensures that when the naval mine 1 is released it proceeds towards the bottom of the sea, up to resting on the bottom of the sea, oriented according to a defined orientation. Such defined orientation is (advantageously but not necessarily) the same that the naval mine 1 assumes when it is fixed to the release assembly 2 before being dropped; in particular (preferably but not necessarily), such defined orientation is the one in which the explosive charge 5 is at the lower part of the impermeable casing 4 and the control device 8 is at the upper part of the impermeable casing 4; more particularly (preferably but not necessarily), such defined orientation is the one in which the explosive charge 5 is in the lowest part (i.e. closest to the bottom of the sea, when the mine 1 is immersed in water) of the impermeable casing 4, while the control device 8 is in the highest part (closest to the free surface of the water, when the mine 1 is immersed in water) of the impermeable casing 4.

According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments, as long as the closing system 13 closes the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b (i.e. in non-operating conditions), the fillable chamber 11 is at least partially filled with air (in particular, it is full of air).

Alternatively, according to other advantageous but non-limiting embodiments, the fillable chamber 11 has pressure conditions lower than the atmospheric pressure, as long as the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b is closed (i.e. in non-operating conditions), so as to prevent the risk that, once the closing system 13 opens the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b (i.e. the closing system 13 assumes the open position A) the air contained in the fillable chamber 11 acts as a plug preventing the inflow of water through the (each) opening 12 a, 12 b.

Furthermore, according to some embodiments such as the ones illustrated, the naval mine 1 comprises at least one valve (not visible in the accompanying figures), for example a hydraulic or pneumatic valve, for closing or opening the (each) opening 12 a. Preferably, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the naval mine 1 comprises two valves (not visible in the accompanying figures) for closing or opening the two openings 12 a and 12 b.

In particular, according to a first non-limiting variant (such as the one illustrated for example in FIGS. 1, 2 ), the closing system 13 comprises at least one piston 15, in this case two pistons 15, (each) mechanically connected to the (to each) valve so that the operation of the (of each) piston 15 causes the opening of the corresponding valve. According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment, in this case, the control device 8 is configured (programmed) to operate the pistons 15 when the naval mine 1 is released by the release assembly 2.

Alternatively, according to a further non-limiting variant, the (each) valve is a solenoid valve (or alternatively a hydraulic valve or a pneumatic valve) configured to open the respective opening 12 a and 12 b, when the naval mine 1 is released by the release assembly 2. According to an advantageous but non-limiting embodiment, in this case, for example, a further control device (or the same control device 8) can be configured to control the operation of the (of each) solenoid valve.

According to a further aspect of the invention, and in accordance with what illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a naval mine assembly is disclosed.

The naval mine assembly comprises a release assembly 2 carried by a sea or underwater vehicle 3, for example by a release platform or by a release submarine; a naval mine 1, such as the one described above, configured to be released by the release assembly 2; a release system 16 for releasing the naval mine 1 from said release assembly 2; and a control unit (not illustrated) for operating the release system 16.

In detail, advantageously but not necessarily, the release system 16 is connected to the above-described closing system 13 so that, when the release system 16 is activated in order to drop the naval mine 1 from the release assembly 2, the closing system 13 opens the (each) opening 12 a and 12 b, so as to allow the inflow of water into the fillable chamber 11.

According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments, the control unit is in communication with the closing system 13, in particular the control unit is configured to control also the closing system 13, so that the operation of the release system 16 by the control unit causes the consequent (and simultaneous) operation of the closing system 13.

According to other advantageous but non-limiting embodiments, the control unit is in communication with the above-described control device 8, which in turn is configured (programmed) to operate the closing system 13 as soon as (in particular immediately after; more particularly while) the control unit operates the release system 16.

According to some advantageous but non-exclusive variants of the invention, the control unit is arranged on board the sea vehicle 3 whereon the release assembly 2 is mounted.

According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments, the release system 16 further comprises holding means 17 for holding the naval mine 1, said holding means 17 are operable by the control unit for releasing the naval mine 1 from the release assembly 2. In particular, according to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments such as the ones illustrated, the holding means 17 are connected to the closing system 13.

More in detail, according to some preferred but non-limiting embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the holding means 17 are connected to (in particular comprise) the above-described pistons 15.

According to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments, the release system 16 and the closing system 13 are mechanically connected so that the operation of the release system 16 causes the consequent operation of the closing system 13.

Specifically, according to some advantageous but non-exclusive embodiments, the release system 16 comprises (coincides with) the closing system 13.

Advantageously but not necessarily, the closing system 13 comprises (consists of) a rapid ball-type coupling (for example of the type illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 ) configured to close or open each opening 12 a and 12 b provided in the fillable chamber 11 of the naval mine 1 to be released and at the same time to hold or release the naval mine 1.

Advantageously but not necessarily, such rapid coupling (which constitutes the closing system 13) comprises an actuator 18 and the piston 15 adapted to close or open the (each) opening 12 a and 12 b. In detail (advantageously but not necessarily), the piston 15 is configured to engage (occupy) a relative opening 12 a or 12 b closing it (in particular, sealingly sealing it with respect to the outside of the naval mine) so as to hold (block) the naval mine 1 attached to the release assembly 2 and close, when the closing system 13 is in the closed position B, and to disengage the relative opening 12 a or 12 b opening it so as to allow the release of the naval mine 1 from the release assembly 2 and (simultaneously) the inflow of water through the (each) opening 12 a or 12 b, when the closing system 13 is in the open position A. In detail, in this case upon the release of the naval mine 1, the actuator 18 is activated (by the control unit, or by the control device 8, or by a further control device) so that by rotating it causes the displacement of the relative piston 15 and thus the passage of the closing system 13 from the closed position B to the open position A.

According to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the release system 16 comprises a telescopic expulsion system 19 configured to hold said naval mine 1, before it is released by said release assembly 2.

In detail, according to some advantageous but non-limiting embodiments such as the ones illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the aforementioned telescopic expulsion system 19 comprises a support frame 20 which is carried by a telescopic shaft 21, which is connected (in particular, attached at one end) to the release assembly 2 and is configured to lengthen or shorten upon the release of the naval mine 1. In this manner, it is possible to regulate (i.e. vary) the depth (i.e. the distance from the release assembly 2, in particular the distance from the free surface of the water) at which to release the naval mine 1 improving the accuracy of the dropping operations of the naval mine 1.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for dropping a naval mine 1 such as the ones described above by means of the use of a mine assembly such as the one described above. In detail, the method entails an immersion step, during which the naval mine 1 is immersed in water so that the (each) opening 12 a and 12 b is at least partially under water; a release step, which is at least partially subsequent to the immersion step, during which the naval mine 1 is removed from the release assembly 2; and a filling step, which is simultaneous with or subsequent to, in particular, is substantially at least partially simultaneous to, the release step, during which the closing system 13 opens the (each) opening 12 a and 12 b and the fillable chamber 11 is at least partially filled with water.

While the above-described invention particularly refers to the examples illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is not to be understood limited to such embodiment examples, all those variants, modifications or simplifications covered by the appended claims falling within its scope.

The present invention has numerous advantages, among which the following are mentioned.

Advantageously, the naval mine 1 of the invention, by virtue of the presence of the fillable chamber 11 and the closing system 13 (in particular, of the fact that it is configured to open and thus induce the filling of the fillable chamber 11 as soon as the naval mine 1 is dropped by the release assembly 2), it will rest on the bottom of the sea oriented according to the given orientation, i.e. with the control device 8, and when it is with the detection unit 10, facing upwards, i.e. towards the free surface of the water.

In fact, according to the present invention, the naval mine 1 is sized so that when the fillable chamber 11 is closed and is not full of water (i.e. does not contain water, in particular it is empty or it is full of air) the weight of the components of the naval mine 1 (i.e. of the explosive charge 5, of the detonator 7 and of the fillable chamber 11) substantially balances the floating force to which the submerged naval mine 1 is subjected, ensuring a neutral buoyancy of the naval mine 1 in this manner, upon the release the sea vehicle 3 wherefrom the naval mine 1 is dropped will not be affected by the drop, eliminating (or at least minimizing) the risk of buoyancy variations of the sea or underwater vehicle 3 which could induce operating or safety problems in the sea or underwater vehicle 3 of an incorrect positioning of the naval mine 1.

At the same time in accordance with the invention, the naval mine 1, and even more particularly the fillable chamber 11, is designed (in particular arranged and sized) so that when the fillable chamber 11 is at least partially filled with water, the weight of the water contained in the fillable chamber 11 is added to that of the remaining components of the naval mine 1 overcoming the floating force, so as to ensure that the naval mine 1 reaches the bottom of the sea resting thereon according to the given orientation. 

1. A naval mine configured to be released by a release assembly comprising: an impermeable casing; an explosive charge arranged inside said impermeable casing; a detonator, which can be operated to trigger said explosive charge; and a control device configured to operate said detonator; the naval mine being characterized in that it comprises: a fillable chamber (in particular, not filled with water and) provided with at least one opening; and a closing system to close or open said at least one opening; said closing system is configured to open said at least one opening so as to allow water to flow into the fillable chamber, when the naval mine is released by said release assembly; the fillable chamber being sized so as to ensure that the naval mine immersed in water assumes a neutral hydrostatic buoyancy when said closing system closes said at least one opening and said fillable chamber is not filled with water, and a negative hydrostatic buoyancy when said closing system opens said at least one opening and water flows into said fillable chamber so as to obtain a loaded chamber.
 2. A naval mine according to claim 1, wherein said fillable chamber has pressure conditions below the atmospheric pressure as long as said at least one opening is closed.
 3. A naval mine according to claim 1, wherein said fillable chamber is at least partially filled with air (in particular is full of air) as long as said at least one opening is closed.
 4. A naval mine according to claim 1, and comprising a valve configured to close or open said at least one opening; in particular, said naval mine comprises at least one further opening and a further valve configured to close or open said further opening.
 5. A naval mine according to claim 1, wherein said explosive charge is arranged on the bottom of said impermeable casing and said fillable chamber is arranged above said explosive charge.
 6. A naval mine according to claim 1, wherein said control device is arranged at an upper part of said impermeable casing.
 7. A naval mine according to claim 1, and comprising a detection unit to detect at least the pressure of the water and/or the presence of obstacles inside a given area; said control device being configured to operate said detonator based on what detected by said detection unit.
 8. A naval mine according to claim 7, wherein said detection unit is arranged at an outer upper part of said impermeable casing.
 9. A naval mine assembly comprising: a release assembly, which is carried by a sea or underwater vehicle; a naval mine according to claim 1 configured to be released by said release assembly; a release system to release said naval mine from said release assembly; and a control unit to operate said release system.
 10. A naval mine assembly according to claim 9, wherein said release system is connected to said closing system so that, when said release system is activated in order to drop said naval mine from said release assembly, said closing system opens said at least one opening, in particular also said further opening, so as to allow water to flow into said fillable chamber.
 11. A naval mine assembly according to claim 9, wherein said release system comprises holding means to hold said naval mine, said holding means can be operated by said control unit in order to release said naval mine from said release assembly.
 12. A naval mine assembly according to claim 9, wherein said release system and said closing system are mechanically connected so that the operation of said release system determines the consequent operation of said closing system.
 13. A naval mine assembly according to claim 9, wherein said release assembly comprises a telescopic expulsion system configured to hold said naval mine before it is released by said release assembly.
 14. A method to drop a naval mine, wherein the method entails the use of a naval mine assembly according to claim 9 and comprises: an immersion step, during which said naval mine is immersed in water so that said at least one opening is at least partially under water; a release step, which is at least partially subsequent to the immersion step and during which said naval mine is removed from said release assembly; and a filling step, which is simultaneous with or subsequent to the release step and during which said closing system opens said at least one opening and said fillable chamber is at least partially filled with water. 